Investing in community
High above Adelaide’s city centre, the offices of LK Law are dominated by striking pieces of Indigenous artwork.
“This one is by Gloria Petyarre, one of the famous Petyarre sisters from Utopia, north of Alice Springs,” says Skip Lipman, LK Principal, pointing out one piece in particular.
“Everything here tells a story of the artist’s community.” LK’s involvement in Indigenous communities goes beyond supporting artists.
They structure their philanthropic commitments around several pillars: access to justice for everyone, advancing community programs which care for the most vulnerable in our society, and supporting the visual arts, in particular Indigenous and emerging artists.
“Supporting Indigenous programs is important to us because it’s one of the great areas of disadvantage we, as a society, need to grapple with. Working in law, we see far too often how disadvantage affects people,” says LK Principal Scott Foreman.
As part of this commitment, LK supported a scholarship for SAHMRI Masters student Courtney Hammond, an Eastern Arrernte/Tanganekald woman.
Courtney’s Masters project evaluated the effectiveness of collaboration between health and social service organisations providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in northern Adelaide.
“We’re helping ensure these programs continue to help the people who need it, through recommendations for strengthening these partnerships and outcomes,” says Courtney.
“LK’s support let me concentrate on that work. I was trying to work full-time and study full-time, but the support meant I could focus on the project and make sure it delivered its full value.”
Courtney’s work has now evolved into developing and delivering a new program to prioritise culturally safe foot care in Indigenous groups at higher risk of amputation from diabetic complications.
“I get to work with students and turn that into a fun activity, and also turn that into a conversation about careers in health,” she says, lighting up about her interactions with students.
“One student told me after our session she decided she wanted to be a scientist, and it was the best day of her life.”
For Fiona Luu, one of LK’s lawyers, it’s these unexpected impacts that inspire her to participate in the firm’s philanthropy programs.
“I have a health research background and it’s been exciting to see LK’s contributions lead to a big impact for the organisations we work with. Courtney and the SAHMRI team are doing really important work and it’s rewarding to support that, however we can.”
If you'd like to learn more about corporate giving please contact Carly Hocking on 0400 176 137 or at carly.hocking@sahmri.com.
Read more stories like this in our 2024 Impact Report
Take me there
SAHMRI is located on Kaurna Country. We pay respects to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to embracing knowledge and culture as we continue our working journey to incorporate Aboriginal health research across all of our themes and further reconciliation.
Read more"Tirki nguta tappa tangka marninithi"
(Learning and knowledge are the pathway to alter the mind)
- Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien, Kaurna Elder
